Upon starting your college journey, you surely will hear all about honor societies. While all the names may sound seriously unfamiliar and foreign, these Greek names such as Sigma Xi and Tau Beta Pi are actually some of history’s oldest college honor societies. So what are the best honor societies, and what are they exactly?
An honor society is a rank organization in the United States that aims to recognize students who have excelled in a variety of circumstances and fields. Generally, honor societies invite students to join based on academic excellence, or to those who have shown impressive leadership, service, and overall character. These honor societies tend to be highly prestigious, and it can be beneficial for one’s future to take part.
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What Are The Best Honor Societies That You Should Join?
1. Phi Beta Kappa
Founded in 1776, Phi Beta Kappa is America’s oldest academic honor society, as well as one of the most prestigious honor societies. An impressive 17 U.S. presidents, 38 U.S. Supreme Court Justices, and more than 130 Nobel Laureates were part of this society. Joining Phi Beta Kappa is a great way to meet other members and engage with top scholars at a variety of lectures and exhibits. Between 30 to 70 distinguished members are chosen annually.
2. Honorsociety.org
Honorsociety.org, one of the top honor societies, is all about the internet and the future. Upon logging into their portal, members are given useful resources, including test preparation tools, scholarship opportunities and career guides. Members can get their name out there by making blog posts on the site, and are given the chance to constantly be connected through the Honorsociety.org social media pages. For those that don’t already have such a large web presence, they can help you build your own profile to help prepare you for the work-force after college.
3. Golden Key
Founded in 1977 at Georgia State University, The Golden Key International Honor Society is the largest honor society in the world, with an impressive two million members. It is also the only one to be based on a foundation of Academics, Leadership, and Service. Many scholars, leaders, and world travellers are part of this honor society, which helps members achieve their ambitious goals through a variety of awards and scholarships. Honorary members include Bill Clinton, Ellie Wiesel, and Desmond Tutu, making it one of the most prestigious honor societies.
4. Phi Kappa Phi
Founded in 1897 at the University of Maine, Phi Kappa Phi is one of the best honor societies, and is also the most selective honor society for all academic disciplines, accepting only members in the top 7.5% of their second semester. For graduate students, they accept only the top 10 percent of students. Membership in Phi Kappa Phi not only offers priceless skills and opportunities, but money too, with a variety of grants and awards in honor of the love of learning, artistry, and literacy.
5. Gamma Beta Phi Society
Gamma Beta Phi is a non-profit and non-secret organization that is centered around education, friendship, and life. The honor society has 40,000 active members who were accepted not only based on their brainpower, but also on their motivation, good
